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Present: Gerald Ashley Madeline Bickle Liz Moore Brian Murphy Pete Brewer Bob Langton Fred Gaskin Jacqui Ward Paul Kent Chairman Yvonne Rees Sue Tuckwell
Apologies: Elspeth Davis Ralph Whiting Mike Goldsworthy Charles Exley Gary Colosimo Ivor King Peter Milner [belated] ________________________________________________________________________
PK welcomed members to the meeting after the summer break.
Agreed as an accurate record.
PK confirmed that he met Ian Hawkins to discuss disability awareness. PK and FG had met Kirsty Claxton to explain the reasons for turning down her bid for funding. FG reported that the bank account has finally been established with the Co-Op. Thanks to MG for his determination on this. FG will meet MG to agree the basic accounting procedures and arrange for the money to be transferred from the Parish Council account. All other matters arising were covered by the agenda.
At the request of PM, a letter has been sent on behalf of the Forum to NSC in support of the activities of the North Somerset Local Action Group, which is seeking European LEADER funding to address the roots of deprivation, isolation and underdevelopment in rural areas. PM not at meeting to provide update. MG tabled some most helpful documents for members' reference. All present received copies of an updated members' list; an annual review progress in implementing the Parish Plan; a list of funding applications; and a grants background paper.
Two funding requests had been received: The first for £500 came from Kirsty Claxton for continuation with the graffiti project using the same youngsters and specialists as the first project. The second for £200 was from Ian Hawkins and Paul Kent to provide two minibuses with special disabled access from Nailsea Community Transport for a shopping trip/visit on November 24th to the Sovereign Centre in Weston super Mare. Both applications were approved on the understanding that the precise costs of the graffiti project were checked. GA agreed to contact Miller's Close, Thursday Lunch Club and The Retired Men's Club to publicise the opportunity. PK agreed to put information into the Pill Paper as well as displaying some posters around the parish. BL recommended that all participants of the trip should be asked what else would be helpful to them in order that the CF could establish a clearer picture of some of the needs in the community. The Funding Application sheet will be amended appropriately. Jacqui Ward strongly recommended the Grassroots Scheme of which she has some experience and offered access to her Grantfinder internet package. She also drew members' attention to the “Powering Communities” workshops in which she was involved.
PK explained that the Community Forum was charged with taking forward the ideas from the recent public meeting. PB explained that the situation regarding the Resource Centre was still extremely uncertain although funding is only secure until March 2009. He added that Resource Centre trustees were in discussion with the Parish Council and were investigating some of the ideas that were raised at the public meeting. PK agreed to convene a small working group of Yvonne, Fred and Brian to meet for 45 minutes plus rock buns and coffee at 1 Oak Grove at the beginning of the new year to draft out a position paper for discussion at the next CF meeting on 2/02/09.
Sue Tuckwell reported that 20 groups were now using Fairtrade products and that she has established links with Roy Ireland in Portbury. She is also planning for a Fairtrade fortnight in February/March 2009 so watch this space! She also tabled a report for the records.
Liz Moore on behalf of Jenny Billington reported that the New Rd planters are now in place and the Fire Station planting is being sorted out. An apple day is planned for 19th October. The Flower Bank Group has made immediate use of the CF grant by improving their publicity through the purchase of a laser printer and laminator - and the number of volunteers has increased.
Maddy Bickle and Bob Langton reported that the cotton bag scheme was in credit and that a Big Green Party is planned for Friday and Saturday March 6th and 7th 2009. Work on the Transition Village continues.
Liz Moore reported that Heywood Surgery had reviewed its provision and has decided to offer two evening surgeries from October. This was very well received and it is good to note that this was an issue identified in the Parish Plan and discussed at length in the CF.
Brian Murphy reported that he had undertaken some major repairs to the website following some problems with the host server. He also warned that the planned video will take up a considerable amount of space.
Fred Gaskin and Sue Tuckwell voiced their concern about the speed of traffic through the village especially on the Lodway and at both village exits. BT and PK undertook to ensure that this is raised again at the next Parish Council meeting.
A lengthy discussion about the involvement of local businesses in the parish produced the following suggestions: a. Request sponsorship for flower baskets in the Precinct. b. Invite firms to provide some team-building opportunities. c. Investigate the possibility of assistance from the Chamber of Trade. There was agreement that chasing funds was not easy and likely to be very time consuming. Realistically, businesses will want to know what they are going to get out of any partnership.
PM has subsequently provided details of the Wild Waters Exhibition at the CREATE Centre, B Bond Warehouse, Smeaton Road, Bristol 4-19 October – the exhibition includes a draft of one side of the leaflet, which the Forum is putting some funding into. Anyone interested can get further details from PM.
Agreed that the agenda should concentrate on the village centre regeneration statement as well as reports from new initiatives.
Monday 2nd February 2009 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.
Meeting ended at 8.37pm. Paul Kent 29-09-08 |
